Meet David!

This little guy is the LaSalle Public Library’s newest member, part of a generous grant award from the Peru Lions Club. David is a doll designed with malleable limbs and hands, especially useful in teaching children the proper way to sign American Sign Language letters and words.

David DollDavid, sporting a colorful "I Love Signing" shirt, will soon be part of a kit that will also include books that illustrate ASL finger spellings, picture books with characters, who like David, have a hearing disability, and picture books that underscore respect for everyone, with an emphasis on an individual’s strengths, not the disability; the message is that we’re all alike in many ways, different in some ways, and all of that is great! The doll is fitted with a mock hearing aid; this gives caregivers a wonderful way, taking advantage of the child’s curiosity, to introduce the topic of disabilities, challenges, and respect, and to overcome any concerns or fears that the child may have regarding adults or children who wear hearing devices.

We hope that parents and teachers check out the David Kit often, and use these resources at home and in the classroom!